As part of the fourth edition of the “I draw my heritage” program, the Foundation for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage of Rabat, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, is organising this Wednesday 20 March 2024 at the Regional development centre for education and training, a training workshop for 40 teachers and headmasters from 20 schools in Rabat, in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and the Moroccan Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS – Morocco), with the participation of the National Institute of Fine Arts in Tétouan.
This year’s theme is Rabat’s modern heritage, illustrated and drawn in the form of postcards, offering children a unique opportunity to share their artistic vision with others. This theme is in line with the ICOMOS theme of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, with a view to raising awareness among the younger generations of the traditional skills and knowledge of intangible cultural heritage, which reflect the responsible values of previous generations and promote ecological awareness. The teachers and headmasters of the schools taking part in the program have received training on the subject and the report from the project partners.
The training focused on the importance of guiding children’s research into Rabat’s modern heritage and connecting them to their local history. By discovering the stories and anecdotes associated with these buildings, the children develop a sense of belonging and pride in this little-known heritage. Rabat’s modern heritage, dating from the early 20th century, bears witness to the architectural evolution of the city at a pivotal time in its history. These buildings, which bear witness to Rabat’s urban growth and modernization, embody the city’s identity and collective memory. For children, these monuments offer a fascinating window on the past, transporting them back to a time when architectural styles merged tradition and modernity. 600 children from 20 primary schools will take part in the program for the 2023-2024 edition, drawing the historic monument or part of it and writing a message to accompany their postcards. This message can be addressed to a family member, a friend, a stranger or even the architect who designed the heritage building. Through this letter, students will share their impressions, emotions and imagination about Rabat and its modern monuments. They will also be able to ask questions and express their dreams and visions for the city’s future. Raising children’s awareness of Rabat’s modern heritage fosters the development of artistic, historical, and social skills. By exploring these monuments through drawing, children strengthen their creativity, observation, and ability to communicate visually. In addition, by understanding the importance of heritage to their community, they develop a sense of civic responsibility and an awareness of the importance of preserving their heritage for future generations.
